His blue eyes were suddenly cold. ‘I have never walked away from my responsibilities, but I did not sleep with your sister,’ he said curtly, ‘and a simple DNA test should prove that to everyone’s satisfaction.’

Jenny looked at him in horror. ‘No! I don’t want anyone jabbing needles in Daisy unless it’s absolutely essential.’

‘If you’re accusing me of being her father, then it’s essential in my book,’ Alex bit out, and Jenny shook her head.

‘No. I already know you’re her father. I don’t need proof.’

‘Well, I’m afraid I do.’ Alex rose to his feet in a fluid movement. ‘And I intend to sort this out as quickly as possible.’

‘How?’

‘If you won’t agree to a blood test, I’ll contact my lawyers first thing tomorrow.’ Alex suppressed another yawn. ‘Once they’ve proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that I didn’t spend the night with your sister, you can look elsewhere for the financial support you’re obviously seeking.’

Jenny stared at him helplessly.

He’d totally missed the point but, then, someone as rich as Alex Westerling was bound to think that everything in life revolved around money.

‘I’m not seeking financial support,’ she told him, her voice quiet. ‘I’m not interested in your money. I just need help with Daisy and I want Daisy to know her father. She can’t grow up not knowing either parent. It wouldn’t be fair. She needs to know her daddy.’

Alex closed his eyes briefly. ‘I’m not her “daddy”. What’s your name?’

Jenny stared at him. ‘Pardon?’

‘I asked you your name,’ he said wearily. ‘If we’re going to have an argument it’s usually helpful to know how to address each other.’

‘Jenny.’ Her voice wasn’t quite as steady as she would have liked. ‘Jenny Phillips.’

His slight smile affected her more than she cared to admit.

‘Well, Jenny Phillips, you can take Daisy off to wherever you were planning on staying and as soon as I have a result from my lawyers I’ll be in touch.’

Jenny didn’t move. ‘I’m planning on staying here.’

An ominous silence stretched between them. ‘Say that again?’

She swallowed, wondering why she was finding this so hard. It had all seemed wonderfully simple when she’d planned it.

But then she hadn’t met the real Alex Westerling and all the imaginings in the world hadn’t prepared her for the reality.

‘Daisy and I are staying with you, Dr Westerling. It makes sense. You can get to know her and help with her care.’

‘Staying with me?’ His blue eyes glittered dangerously and his voice was satiny smooth. ‘Considering your out-spoken views on my wicked reputation I’m surprised you’re prepared to risk it, Miss Phillips. Surely there’s a strong likelihood that you won’t escape unscathed?’

His silky tone doubled her pulse rate but she forced herself not to react to his sarcasm. ‘We both know your taste doesn’t run to dark-haired women,’ she replied, her voice remarkably steady considering the disrupted state of her emotions. ‘And as I don’t find you remotely attractive I’m fairly confident that I can restrain myself.’